Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit
Since he founded The Stratbase Group and the Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies in 2004, Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit has provided top-level strategic analysis and thought leadership on global issues in the Philippines. He has identified investment and business opportunities, gathered critical intelligence to overcome regulatory challenges, and developed deep relationships in key departments and agencies. With his extensive experience, he continues to advise the private sector and the diplomatic community on the interplay between business and government and the impact of legislative, regulatory, and geopolitics on their strategies.
As a public policy analyst and strategist, Professor Manhit thinks beyond politics for his political risk assessments, and draws on a combination of backward- looking, fact-based, data-driven analytics with forward-looking thinking, and strategic policy options. He believes that policy research and analysis should be undertaken in an independent, strategic, and pragmatic manner in order to contribute to the geopolitical debate and, in the process, effectively influence domestic and regional policy. He has provided strategic analysis at this time of great global challenges and the importance of the influence of a globalized society in nation- states.
Concurrently, he is Philippine Country Head of BowerGroupAsia (BGA), a leading strategic advisory firm specializing in the Asia-Pacific. He is also the Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of Stratbase Research and Intelligence (SRI), a full-service Strategic Communication and Political Marketing affiliate of the Stratbase Group.
Professor Manhit was a former Chair and retired Associate Professor of the Political Science Department of De La Salle University, Manila, and has authored numerous commentaries and papers on geopolitical issues, governance, and political reforms. He specializes in Strategic Studies and Management, International Politics, and Public Policy Analysis. He also regularly contributes articles and columns to leading newspapers in the Philippines, such as Philippine Daily Inquirer and BusinessWorld.
He is a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Multi-Sector Governance Council and was appointed to be the Chair of the Cybersecurity Committee.
His field of specialization has led him to pursue active involvement in legislation, bureaucratic work, and civil society advocacy. Among the government positions he has held include Undersecretary for External Affairs and Special Concerns of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and Deputy Secretary for Administration and Financial Services of the Philippine Senate. Meanwhile, his legislative experience encompasses the 8th, the 9th, 10th, and the 12th Congress as Chief of Staff of the late Senate President Edgardo J. Angara and senior policy research adviser in key Senate Committees, such as Education, Agriculture, Economic Affairs, Social Justice and Electoral Reforms, and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws.
After his stint in government, he became involved with different consortiums and networks of civil society groups. His civil society initiatives range from governance reform to environmental stewardship, as Lead Convenor of citizen-led initiative, Democracy Watch Philippines, and Convenor of pro-industry group, Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST).
Maria Claudette Guevara-Hizon
Maria Claudette Guevara-Hizon is the Executive Director of the Stratbase Institute, where she oversees administrative operations and contributes to the strategic planning and execution of the organization’s objectives. She is in charge of approving project timelines, plans, and implementation, as well as reviewing contracts and partnership agreements for compliance. She was the Deputy Executive Director for Programs of the Institute since 2014, where she was in charge of the implementation of the Institute’s projects and activities. She executed the Institute’s programs and administration, and maintained relationships with associates and networks. She coordinated with third-party authors and non-resident fellows for publications, and contributed articles on elections and governance.
Claudette also serves as the Senior Director for Accounts and Administration of the Stratbase Group where she supports identifying areas for process improvement and implementing measures to enhance client services. Prior this, she was the Director of Accounts for Stratbase where she ensured the delivery of work for clients. She managed strategic grassroots campaigns for Stratbase clients, identified opportunities, built teams, and engaged in strategic planning and execution of public affairs projects.
She was the Secretary-General of ADRi’s advocacy group, Democracy Watch Philippines, a citizen-led initiative that advocates for honest, fair and free elections, reforms to strengthen political party systems, and institutionalizing governance reforms through the principles of accountable government and transparency of decision-making.
She received her bachelor’s degree major in Political Science from De La Salle University – Manila in 2011. She took a course on Leadership of Change for Development Managers at the Asian Institute of Management on May 2017 and a course on Project Management from Ateneo De Manila University Continuing Center for Education in 2015. She was a delegate at the Southeast Asian Young Leaders Program of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue 2018.
In school, she was elected as a two-time Batch President of the College of Liberal Arts at the De La Salle University – Manila from 2008 to 2010 and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson in Pasay City, Metro Manila. She was also the High School Student Council President from 2007-2008 at the St. Scholastica’s College-Manila.
Jaime Jimenez, Ph.D
Jaime M. Jimenez, Ph.D, is the Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Research and Head of the Editorial Board of the Stratbase Institute. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at De La Salle University in 1994, graduating with a Gold Medal for Academic Excellence.
In 1998, he received his MA in Philippine Studies at De La Salle University – Manila and earned his Doctorate degree in Southeast Asia Studies at the National University of Singapore in 2003.
He is former Vice Chair of the Political Science department at De La Salle University – Manila and is former Associate Professor II of the Faculty of Arts and Letters at the University of Sto. Tomas.
Venice Isabelle Rañosa
Venice Isabelle T. Rañosa is Research Director and member of the editorial board at Stratbase Institute, where she oversees research engagements across the institute’s various programs. She also leads in the writing of the Economic Snapshots, the institute’s quarterly review of the Philippine economy, and develops content for its flagship conferences that cover all major areas of focus.
In her larger role at the Stratbase Group, she heads research on global and local developments in political economy affecting the company’s clientele. She also concurrently serves as Director at BowerGroupAsia, a US-based strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific, where she supports the Managing Director in overseeing the Philippine team’s operations.
With a focus on political economy in the Philippines, trade and investment, and sustainable development, she has authored articles and commentaries featured in the country’s major broadsheets.
Prior to joining Stratbase, she was a researcher at De La Salle University-Manila, where she undertook research on tax reform, infrastructure development, public financial management, governance reforms, and the circular economy. She co-authored a special study on crafting an extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy in the Philippines, published by the Stratbase Institute in 2018.
She received her master’s degree in Development Policy (2019) and her bachelor’s degree in International Studies major in European Studies (2017), with honors, from De La Salle University-Manila, and has a diploma in Spanish awarded by the Instituto Cervantes in Madrid, Spain. She obtained her high school education, with distinction, at St. Scholastica’s College-Manila. She earned her Career Service Professional government eligibility from the Civil Service Commission of the Philippines in 2017.
Dana Eunice Dinsay
Dana Eunice A. Dinsay is the Chief of Staff of the Stratbase Group. As Chief of Staff, she advises and supports the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Group. She also manages the organization’s daily operations by actively engaging with key stakeholders to identify existing issues and offer viable solutions. She serves as the liaison between the Group and its partners and clients.
Dana started as a Research Associate in Stratbase, with her research focusing on trade and investment. She continues to track macroeconomic trends and legislative movements as she provides analysis for clients in the trade and investment sector. Concurrently, she is also a part of the External Affairs Team, which is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients and partners.
She previously interned for both the European Chamber of Commerce (ECCP) and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (La Cámara). She was also briefly involved with a US-based software development company before moving to a Malaysian-based consultancy firm focused on creating social impact through design thinking. She also delved into management consultancy as she provided consultancy services to businesses around the Philippines, including a multinational company in the food and beverage sector.
Dana is currently taking her Master’s in Innovation and Business at the Asian Institute of Management. She received her bachelor’s degree in European Studies with a specialization in international business and economics from the Ateneo de Manila University.
Manuela Laine “Wels” Dayawon
Manuela Laine “Wels” S. Dayawon is a Public Affairs and Programs Manager at the Stratbase Institute, where she focuses on monitoring and analyzing developments in sustainability, technology enterprise and cybersecurity, and consumer and retail sectors in the Philippines. In this capacity, she plays a key role in the Institute’s strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of policy programs, research initiatives, and public affairs activities.
Before joining Stratbase, Wels built a six-year career in public service, holding high-level executive and technical positions in the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). She served as a Close-in Executive Assistant and Deputy Chief-of-Staff to third-level officials, where she supported education, governance, digital infrastructure, connectivity, and cybersecurity initiatives. Her work included leading office operations and process improvement efforts, contributing to policy development and project management, and supporting top-level decision-making within the bureaucracy.
Wels is currently completing her Master of Arts in Women and Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the same university in 2019. She is a Career Service Professional, having earned her government eligibility from the Civil Service Commission in 2021.
Jhan Irish Balunos
Irish is a Program and Research Manager of the Stratbase Institute. Irish specializes in monitoring and analyzing the healthcare sector developments in the Philippines. With a strong foundation in evidence-based public health, she delivers strategic insights and technical support to inform policy and guide stakeholders. Her expertise spans research, nutrition science, and the formulation of impactful health policies, making her a key contributor to the Institute’s mission of driving meaningful change in the healthcare landscape.
Before joining Stratbase, Irish served as a research and policy fellow at the Department of Health, where she played a critical role in developing rapid public health guidelines for emergencies and crafting the the Omnibus Health Guidelines. She also contributed to research initiatives at the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute, focusing on the Nutrition Act and the drivers of anemia reduction among women of reproductive age. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving public health outcomes through evidence-based solutions.
Irish holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of the Philippines, where she consistently earned academic distinctions for high academic performance. A licensed nutritionist-dietitian since 2019, she also demonstrated her leadership skills as an elected Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson in Barangay Rosario, San Pedro, Laguna.
Krixia Zhienelle Subingsubing
Krixia Subingsubing is a journalist-turned-communications professional whose work focuses on foreign policy, democratic resilience, human rights, and other public interest issues. She currently serves as Communications and Advocacy Manager at the Stratbase Institute, where she leads communications strategies, media engagement, and public outreach for the Institute’s policy research and advocacy initiatives. Before this, she was a reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, where she has covered major national issues including the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and the subsequent ICC case, climate change, disinformation, human rights, and legislative policy.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman with a BA in Journalism, magna cum laude, Krixia holds a Master in Journalism from Ateneo de Manila University as a Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation Fellow. Her work has earned multiple journalism awards, including two Catholic Mass Media Awards for investigative reporting, and she has been selected for international reporting fellowships and training programs by institutions including the U.S. State Department, Reuters Institute in Oxford, Internews, Earth Journalism Network, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. From 2020-2025, she also served as assistant editor of Asia Democracy Chronicles and co-convenor of the Campus Journalism Lab.
David Francis Huang
David Francis Huang is a Senior Policy and Security Research Associate at the Stratbase Institute, focusing on issues, complexities, and challenges of the Philippines’ defense and security requirements, including defense modernization, regional and maritime security, and bilateral and multilateral strategic partnerships.
In addition, he also monitors economic opportunities related to the country’s critical minerals resources and their implications for the government economic program, impact on related industries, and other key stakeholders.
Before joining Stratbase, David worked as a Policy Assistant at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, where he focused on the Asia-Pacific, particularly in relation to U.S. foreign policy in the region, including defense and security related issues. He also gained experience through internships with the Institute of World Politics, Atlas Corps, and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), which all provided him with exposure to foreign policy, international affairs, and policy research in both U.S. and international settings.
David holds a Master’s degree in Security Studies from the University College London and a B.A. in International Studies from the American University in Washington DC, where he specialized in Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution. During his undergraduate studies, he was selected to participate in the Diplomacy Lab, a partnership program that connects U.S. Department of State officials with faculty and students at academic institutions to conduct research on foreign policy issues.
Maria Angela Rillo
Marie Rillo is a Senior Programs and Research Associate of the Stratbase Institute.
Marie specializes in banking and fintech, enterprise technology, and defense. She conducts research on government policies, legislative and regulatory developments, and industry trends, providing strategic analysis and insights to support clients.
Before joining Stratbase, Marie interned with the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation, where she supported the foundation’s programs for the Nihongo Center Foundation and developed instructional presentations. She also managed data compilation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and contributed to communications and documentation efforts.
Marie earned her bachelor’s degree in international studies, majoring in Japanese studies, from De La Salle University Manila, where she graduated magna cum laude.
Grace Chan
Grace is a Senior Program and Research Associate of the Stratbase Institute.
Grace specializes in agriculture and food security, and consumer and retail. She monitors and analyzes developments in the consumer and agricultural sector. She also tracks legislative developments and government pronouncements in the Philippines and contributes to high-level policy analysis.
Her previous experiences include business development at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency – Commercial Section of the Embassy of Korea (KOTRA Manila) where she played a key role in driving cross-border business development between Korean firms and local partners in the Philippines.
Her internship with the French Chamber of Commerce enabled her to spearhead trade missions and conduct strategic market analysis to support French firms in their market expansion and broaden investment opportunities. In her role as Public Policy Intern for foodpanda Philippines, Grace assessed regulatory developments and developed policy recommendations affecting the company’s operations.
Grace earned her bachelor’s degree in international studies with a major in Chinese studies and minor in economics from De La Salle University–Manila where she graduated with honors.
Members of the Editorial Board
Adelle Chua
Adelle Chua is an Assistant Professor of journalism at the UP College of Mass Communication, and is an opinion columnist for Rappler.
She was a long-time opinion editor, editorial writer and columnist for Manila Standard.
She graduated with an AB in Literature (English) from Ateneo de Manila University, where she also obtained her MA in Journalism as a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism. Adelle also studied Financial and Economic Reporting at the Institute for International Journalism in Berlin, Germany.
Jaime Jimenez, Ph.D
Jaime M. Jimenez, Ph.D, is the Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Research and Head of the Editorial Board of the Stratbase Institute. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at De La Salle University in 1994, graduating with a Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. In 1998, he received his MA in Philippine Studies at De La Salle University – Manila and earned his Doctorate degree in Southeast Asia Studies at the National University of Singapore in 2003.
He is former Vice Chair of the Political Science department at De La Salle University – Manila and is former Associate Professor II of the Faculty of Arts and Letters at the University of Sto. Tomas.
Shanice Espiritu-Amador
Shanice Espiritu-Amador is a non-resident fellow of the Stratbase Institute. She is a governance and public policy expert with a wide range of experience spanning the public and private sector, non-government organisations, and the academe. She previously held the role of Director for Policy and Advocacy under the Stratbase Group and Deputy Executive Director for Research under the Stratbase Institute. She is also a former university lecturer under the Political Science and Development Studies Department of De La Salle University-Manila.
Currently, she is a Casual Sessional Academic under the Policy and Governance Program of the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, where she also finished her degree of Master of Public Policy specialising in Integrity and Anti-Corruption Policy.
Trustees
The Stratbase Institute Board of Trustees is composed of notable figures from premier educational institutions and industry. The Trustees provides guidance and direction to the numerous policy studies and advocacies that the Institute advances.
Convenors
Stratbase Institute’s four programs are convened by Dr. Francisco Magno, Dr. Carlos Primo David (on-leave), Dr. Renato De Castro, and Dr. Epictetus Patalinghug.
Non-Resident Fellows
Stratbase Institute’s quarterly Spark and monthly Occasional Papers are authored by a variety of specialists in their given fields, in accordance with the objective of each program.
